The winners have their say …
Renasa CEO Jonathan Rosenberg says it’s encouraging that smaller players can end up being selected as winners. “The fact that we beat a few big insurers in two categories goes to show size isn’t everything,” he says. “The awards process is extremely thorough. At the end of the day it boils down to service and relationships — and you don’t have to be the biggest to excel in those areas.”
Ray Mhere, Allan Gray regional manager (Johannesburg), says winning the awards means a lot. “To get an award from your clients is an honour because it shows that you are doing the right thing,” he says. “I don’t think there’s any better compliment than this in any industry. It’s all really about the client for us at Allan Gray. When we get into any meeting, the first thing we ask is ‘Is this the right thing to do for the client?’ If it is, then absolutely yes, we’ll do it. If it’s not, the meeting will end within a couple of minutes.”
Nash Omar of Hollard, winner of the short-term corporate insurer of the year award, says brokers and insurers couldn’t exist without one another. “Our business is based on an intermediated model. Brokers form a key part of the Hollard value chain and it’s wonderful to know that we’re doing it right in their eyes. Long live the broker.”
Priveen Rampersad, Sanlam Employee Benefits regional manager for client relations, says it’s an honour to be recognised and acknowledged by the industry as the top service provider in the employee benefits field. “Our people are dynamic and brilliant. They keep the day-today business running, while keeping an eye on the bigger picture — both in SA and around the world via our international footprint. We also believe strongly in consistency and transparency. So, when it comes to our fee structures and other information that is important to our brokers, we are open and honest. We say it as it is, and that has definitely been working well for us.”
ITOO’s Justin Naylor led an exuberant team onto the stage to collect the award for underwriting manager of the year. “We’re thrilled that ITOO has garnered so much support from the broker fraternity in such a short time. Although the ITOO brand is only a couple of years old, we already deal with about 650 brokers in SA and across our borders. Thanks to the ITOO team and the broker community for the support and the confidence you have shown in our business.”
Dr Jonathan Broomberg of Discovery says Discovery Health is delighted to have been awarded the FIA Award as top product supplier in the healthcare category for 2018. “We have always believed passionately in the critical role of intermediaries in healthcare and medical scheme environment, and we value our long and consistent partnership with the thousands of intermediaries who have helped to build the Discovery Health Medical Scheme into SA’s premier open medical scheme. We intend to support the intermediary industry strongly and actively to ensure that it retains a vital role in the healthcare system. This will ensure that scheme members get the professional and independent advice and support that they deserve and require.”